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Lupron Depot® works to manage endometriosis by decreasing the production of estrogen by your ovaries. Estrogen produced in the ovaries is responsible for regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle and it causes the lining of the uterus to thicken. Estrogen also causes endometrial lesions to grow. When menstruation starts, endometrial lesions can bleed, which can lead to irritation, inflammation, and scarring. Lupron Depot is used to lower the levels of estrogen in your body, which may stop lesions from bleeding. As a result of lower estrogen levels, you may experience symptoms such as bone density loss and hot flashes. Bone density loss may be partially or completely recovered after you stop therapy, and hot flashes will generally disappear. It is important to know what to expect and how you can manage these symptoms.
 Pain may increase before it is reduced
After your first injection of Lupron Depot, your reproductive hormones may increase for 1 or 2 weeks. During that time, you may notice an increase in your current symptoms. After two weeks, these hormone levels should decline.
About low-estrogen side effects
During your treatment with Lupron Depot alone, you may experience some mild side effects, such as:
You may also experience a light period or spotting, but most women will have complete absence of menstruation after the second month of therapy. These symptoms generally disappear after completing Lupron Depot therapy.
Keep your doctor informed
During your treatment with Lupron Depot, make sure to keep your doctor informed of any symptoms you may be experiencing so he or she can monitor your progress better. Add-back therapy is available to reduce some side effects from day one, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice your concerns.
Learn about add-back therapy as a supplement to your Lupron Depot therapy.
Each appointment is important
Getting your Lupron Depot injection as scheduled is important. Missing an injection by a couple of days should not disrupt the overall benefits of the treatment, but maintaining a consistent schedule is an important part of your therapy. Missing successive doses may cause breakthrough bleeding or ovulation. Because it is possible to become pregnant while on Lupron Depot, if you are sexually active, it is necessary to use a barrier (non hormonal) contraceptive to prevent pregnancy (see Pregnancy while on Lupron Depot, below). If you are not already on the 3-month dose of Lupron Depot, ask your doctor to consider this option. Our Appointment Reminder can help you remember your doctor visits.
Pregnancy while on Lupron Depot
Lupron Depot is not a contraceptive. Even though your periods may stop completely during your treatment with Lupron Depot, you can still become pregnant. If you are sexually active, be sure to use a barrier (nonhormonal) birth control method, such as a condom, diaphragm with contraceptive jelly, or an IUD, to prevent pregnancy. If you think that you have become pregnant while on Lupron Depot, talk with your doctor immediately.
Complete your therapy
In order to determine whether or not Lupron Depot is going to work for you, your doctor may recommend a trial of therapy for 3 months. If it is working for you, your doctor may have you complete the entire 6-month regimen.
It is important that you stay on Lupron Depot for a full 6 months. Research has shown that 6 months of Lupron Depot therapy offers effective, long-lasting relief from the symptoms of endometriosis.
Please see below for important information on Lupron Depot®, including side effects.
*Norethindrone acetate 5mg daily |
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